Gina and William in Lakeville, CN

A couple celebrates with a colorful gathering beside a New England lake

Gina Imperato, 35, was thinking “holiday card picture” when her boyfriend, William Jarrett, 33, paused mid-stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge (their favorite spot for walks), handed his camera to another couple, and asked for a photo. Turns out they ended up documenting his marriage proposal, and the snapshot worked its way into a different type of mailing: their wedding save-the-date.

To guarantee a spectacularly saturated backdrop of New England foliage for their September nuptials, the couple decided to marry in Lakeville, Connecticut, at the Interlaken Inn, an expansive estate that's dotted with sculpture grounds, English garden-style hedges and towering trees. On Friday night, Gina and William welcomed friends and family—and showcased the setting—with a barbecue and bonfire, where s'mores were consumed in abundance. The next day, the couple traded “funny, serious, and beautiful” vows, guided by the groom's brother, who officiated at the ceremony. “We wanted to share that intimate moment with someone who really understood us,” Gina explains. The newlyweds served their 125 guests a homespun yet haute menu starring bubbly Prosecco, tomato and mozzarella salad and butternut squash ravioli (“In my family, we don't consider it a wedding without pasta!” declares the Italian-American bride). And Louis Armstrong's take on the classic French tune “La Vie En Rose” set the musical mood as the pair took their inaugural spin around the dance floor. —Hillary Quinn

Our Favorite Things

Sitting Pretty: At the end of the ceremony, guests were asked to stay in their chairs so the photo­grapher could snap a group picture.

Pour on the Sweets: Guests arriving for the weekend got welcome bags with white M&Ms in mini milk bottles, which were donated by a friend whose family owns a local dairy.

Sign of the Times: Custom-made “Do Not Disturb” signs were left in each guest's hotel room; the flip side of the card listed the weekend's schedule of events.